2 days ago
Akal Takht Leader Challenges AAP Claims on Punjab Drug Crisis
A Sikh religious leader says Punjab still has a serious drug problem.
He disagrees with claims that the problem has largely been solved.
He says many young people in villages are addicted to drugs such as heroin and “Chitta.”
He also says the government’s anti-drug campaign has not made enough difference.
The Aam Aadmi Party government says it is acting against drug smugglers.
Punjab Police reported arrests and drug seizures during the campaign.
The religious leader says stopping sellers and helping addicted people are both necessary.
He also asked the central government to stop drugs coming across the international border.
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj disputed claims that Punjab is free of a serious drug problem.
He said heroin and “Chitta” addiction remain widespread, particularly among young people in villages.
The Jathedar said he had seen no meaningful impact from the government’s Yudh Nasha Virodh campaign.
Punjab Police reported 65 alleged smugglers arrested and several drug seizures on campaign day 546.
He urged the Centre to curb narcotics supplies allegedly entering Punjab across the international border.
- Who
- Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, and Punjab Police are central to the dispute.
- What
- Gargajj criticized claims that Punjab is free from a serious drug problem and questioned the impact of the state’s anti-drug campaign.
- Where
- Punjab, including villages affected by drug addiction, and the international border through which narcotics are alleged to enter.
- When
- The remarks were made during an ongoing political dispute; Punjab Police figures cited the 546th day of the Yudh Nasha Virodh campaign.
- Why
- Gargajj said illegal drug sales and addiction remain widespread, while the government has highlighted arrests and seizures under its campaign.
Criticism of Government Action
Government Campaign Claims
Scale of the drug problem
Criticism of Government Action
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj said drugs, especially heroin and “Chitta,” remain widespread in Punjab and that claims of the state being free of a serious problem are inaccurate.
Government Campaign Claims
The Aam Aadmi Party government has highlighted its ongoing anti-drug campaign and crackdown against alleged drug smugglers.
Impact of the campaign
Criticism of Government Action
Gargajj said he had seen no impact from Yudh Nasha Virodh and challenged officials to visit villages with him to see the situation.
Government Campaign Claims
Punjab Police figures cited arrests, drug recoveries, and counselling for de-addiction during the campaign, which the government presents as evidence of enforcement.
Enforcement priorities
Criticism of Government Action
Gargajj emphasized that addicted young people are victims and said village-level addiction requires more attention, alongside action against suppliers.
Government Campaign Claims
The campaign figures emphasize action against alleged smugglers through arrests and seizures; the report does not provide the government’s specific response to Gargajj’s criticism.
Key facts
- Campaign
- Yudh Nasha Virodh, the Punjab government’s anti-drug campaign
- Police arrests
- 65 alleged drug smugglers were arrested on the campaign’s 546th day
- Heroin recovered
- 731 grams
- Other drugs recovered
- 10 kilograms of opium, 268 kilograms of poppy husk, and 140 intoxicant pills
- Alleged drug money
- Rs 3,500 was recovered
- Rehabilitation
- Six people were counselled and persuaded to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment
- Religious leader’s position
- Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj said he had not seen strict government action or a meaningful campaign impact
Quotes
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj
Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar who criticized Punjab’s handling of drug abuse
“I have not seen any impact of Yudh Nasha Virodh (campaign against drugs). You come along with me to the villages and I will show how badly it has failed.”
NDTV
“I have not seen strictness by the government. I have been meeting young people who are addicted to drugs. They are the victims.”
NDTV
Sources
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